This is a special two-week road trip roundup post, packed with things you can see and do in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and Montreal between December 23 and January 5. There’s more to the next two weeks than turkey and stockings (fun as those are).
But before I start, I just wanted to thank you so much for reading Ottawa Road Trips, today and all year long. This site would be nothing without you, and I deeply appreciate your support. Here’s to more fun road trips in 2020!
Learn about microbes at the Canadian Museum of Nature
I’ll admit it:When I first heard the title of the new exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Me and My Microbes: The Zoo Inside You, my first thought was “Ewwww…a whole show about viruses, bacteria and other tiny critters living inside me?” But I checked it out during the media preview last week and I gotta tell you: It is fascinating. Did you know, for instance, that every house has its own unique blend of microbes, and it changes when a new family moves in? Or that a microbe that lives in mice but can only reproduce inside cats makes the host mice slow and stupid, so it’s easier for Puss to catch them? Even if you think you’re not a “science person,” you’ll probably find something in this show to intrigue you. It runs until March 29.
Take a first-day hike
Why not start the new year with some exercise and fresh air? It could be good inspiration to keep up the habit all year long. That’s the idea behind the First-Day Hike, an idea that has spread from south of the border to Ontario, where Ontario Parks is encouraging everyone to go for a hike on New Year’s Day. They’re even running a contest to win outdoorsy prizes from SAIL to give you extra incentive. To enter, you need to live in Ontario, take a photo of yourself hiking on New Year’s Day at a provincial park and share it on social media. For more details, see the Ontario Parks website.
Have fun at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
At Winter Frolic (December 26 to January 5) at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, families can learn how animals adapt to winter through demonstrations by experts from the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre, admire a gingerbread house village, make a breakfast casserole in the demonstration kitchen and try their hand at holiday crafts. All the fun is free with museum admission.
See the lights in Ottawa and at Upper Canada Village
Afraid that you missed Alight at Night, the spectacular illuminated festival at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg? Don’t worry—you can still see it until Saturday, January 4. At Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean, you can enjoy the Magic of Lights display until Saturday, January 4, as well. In downtown Ottawa, Confederation Boulevard will still be glowing with lights as part of Christmas Lights Across Canada until Tuesday, January 7. Prefer your Christmas lights indoors? Glow Ottawa, the new garden of lights inside the EY Centre, runs until Saturday, January 4.
Try standup paddleboard fitness in Westboro
Feeling the effects of all that turkey? Already tired of winter? Then why not get a virtual taste of summer (and get a jump on working off that holiday weight) by signing up for standup paddleboard fitness classes at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre in Westboro? The Saturday classes start on January 4 and the Wednesday ones on January 8.
Count birds with your kids in Brockville or Longueuil
In the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, a nationwide event coordinated by Bird Studies Canada, families head out into nature to learn about birdwatching and do some citizen science. Two events are coming up near Ottawa in the next few weeks. Check them out at the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area near Brockville on Saturday, December 28, or at Parc Michel-Chartrand in Longueuil on Saturday, January 4.
Bounce the day away in Gatineau
So the presents are unwrapped, the new toys have been played with, you’ve watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas approximately 47 times and the kids are getting restless. The Gatineau Playground Festival (December 27 to 30) at the Complexe Branchaud-Brière—with its 67,000 square feet of bouncy castles, trampolines and other active, indoor fun—might just be the answer to your family’s cabin fever.
Learn about the universe and polar science in Montreal
At the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan in Montreal, you have until Tuesday, December 31, to catch Polaris. It’s an animated film aimed at children aged 4 to 10 that tells the tale of a polar bear from the North Pole and a penguin from the South Pole who get together to learn about the science of their respective homes.
Cheer on young hockey players in Ottawa
The Bell Capital Cup is one of the world’s largest hockey tournaments, drawing hundreds of youth hockey teams from around the world to Ottawa. This year, you can enjoy the action from December 28 to January 1 at arenas across the city, including the Richcraft Sensplex, the Nepean Sportsplex and the Canadian Tire Centre. You might just spot a future NHL star or two.
Take the (frosty) plunge in Perth
Not cold enough for ya yet? Then strip down to your bathing suit and take the Perth Polar Bear Plunge on January 1. The annual glacial dip into the Tay River, sponsored by the local Royal Canadian Legion, raises money for community causes; this year, the chosen charity is the FireDawgs Youth Initiatives. Yikes, this looks COLD!!!!
Ring in the New Year
Looking for ideas for New Year’s Eve? I have lots of them in this post—everything from fireworks and champagne to comedy and at least one tarot card reader.
All the best to you and yours for the holidays and for 2020!
Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter! I will never spam you—promise.
Are you promoting an upcoming event you’d like to see in a future weekly road trip roundup? Please email me the details at least two weeks in advance of the event, and I’ll add them to my files. If you have a horizontal photo or two I could use, even better. Thanks!